New beta service LendAround is designed to keep a little padding in your wallet by creating DVD borrowing networks, allowing users to easily share their DVD libraries with one another through a smart (and free) system.

We've seen similar services before, like previously mentioned trading service Zunafish, but LendAround thinks it's different. For example, it's not about trading, it's about lending and borrowing (i.e., it doesn't have to be a two-way street). LendAround is a social site, so you also don't swap DVDs with strangers. You can only see the DVDs in the libraries of your friends and their network.

The problem with services like LendAround is always the same: One way or another, it's kind of a hassle. (Hell, I don't really get my money's worth with Netflix because mailing DVDs is annoying.) But then again, the economic landscape has changed, and with an active network of friends, you could conceivably roll your own Netflix replacement or supplement for a very low price.